TOUCHING THE STARS Singing comes as naturally as breathing to him. It's difficult to capture even half of ATIF ASLAM's warmth, simplicity and talent on paper. Just three videos and he has become the most talked about newcomer in town. His album 'JALPARI' is selling like hot cakes in the market and he's taken the Pakistani music industry by storm.
Strolling
into the popular Coffee Shop, where we have agreed for a rendezvous,
the singing sensation loks 100% showbiz groovy. In person, he still
preserves a certain humility in his success. His constant mention of
idiosyncracy, originality and the colour BLUE, distinguishes him from other contemporaries. Here are some excerpts of our conversation:
Q1. So tell me, how has life changed after 'Aadat'? Well........
it has changed drastically! I've been extremely busy evver since;I've
never been in the state of mind that I am these days. Simultaneously,
I'm completingmy studies and coping with friends and family and its
getting difficult day by day. They are always complaining.
Q.2Did you always know that singing was an inherent talent? No,
I hadn't thought about it earlier. Just three years back, when my
father was posted in Pindi and you know it is a dull place. It so
happend that one evening I was alone and started humming Kishore
Kumar's song "zindagi ke safar" It made me energetic and I realized
that 'yes, I can sing!". Earlier I used to just participate at
Independence Day shows, sing in competitions. I later joined the 'Music
Committee' of PAF (Pakistan Air Force) College. But career wise, it
never occurred to me before that.
Q3.Who gave you your first break? Shahbaz
(his brother who is also his manager) got the play "Moulin Rouge' for
us and Sharabeal encouraged us alot. It was a great feeling as we were
performing infront of the cream of Lahore. The response was phenominal! I would also like to mention my brother, Sheraz, who's been a role model.
Q4.Tell the leaders about your academic background and your student life. Ahh...old days! I did my matriculation from DPS(DivisionPublic School). Dad got transferred to Rawalpindi and I was admitted to Saint Paul.
Came back to DPS. I then did my intermidiate from PAF(Pakistan Air
Force). Its unbelievable but I was one of the three candidates selcted
out of a total five hundred! Student life.... I was definately not a
nerd. I never enjoyed cl...room lectures and played cricket 24/7. I
even got selected for the pakistan under-19 team. In school, my teachers knew me as 'the back bencher', but my flattery made me a great teacher pet at times. (he laughs!)
Q5. How do u cope with hurdles in life? I
believe there's always an end to all obstacles, there'sis a path for
one's self. Allah shows you the right path. Life has to go on; and I
firmly believe that God only bestows a burden that you can endure.
Besides that, I'm an optimist!
Q6.Would you like to share some advicegiven to you by a friend that you never forgot? Actually,
yes. A friend of mine taught me the concept of BLUE, which is deep:
water, something that one can't do without. It's purity1 I'll always be
thankful to her for teaching me a fundamental concept in my life.
Without BLUE, my life is meaningless. Everything to me has an element
of Blue, it has depth and it gives me a refreshing feeling.
Q7. We all know about your tiff with arch rival, Gouher. How's your relationship with him? There
are no hard feelings. We bothe are professionals and have separate
ways. I hope GOD gives him respect. I guess the break-up was in my
favour, since it gave me the freedom to do what I believed in. I didn't
want someone else to dedicate stuff to me. The entire episode actually
helped me. I've been able to explore my self. My songs are my feelings
and I'm glad taht it has brought out my creativity.
Q8. Comment on your contemporaries. Hmm...everyone is good (giggles on this cliche).
Ali Noor, Ali Zafar, they are all doing good in theirown right. I'm on
a different ridebecause I've attempted soft rock, which no one has gone
for. Therefore, I don't regard them as my rivals. My lyrics,
compositions and all are different and straight from the heart. Every
song of mine is meaningful. I feel that several bands/artists aim to
complete and release their album too quickly. They should try ans
safety themselves and make sure that the final product is quality.
Q9. Do you feel there should be music schools in Pakistan or do u believe in inborn talent? Yes,
I'm in favour of education in musicbut as far as I'm concerned, I
personally wouldn't learn music. That's why I don't have any idols. No
one inspires me. To retain originality, I wouldn't go for a formal
education, though one should know the basics. I know nothing about
music and I'm in no position to instruct others. Some people are born
talented and oothers have to learn it!
Q10. Being an icon for the youth, what do u think is your responsibility towards the youth of this country? I've
always been a supporter of peace. My messege is of love and friendship.
I'll always be there to buck up the nation. Our youngsters should get
rid of all the fears and enjoy life to the fullest. If they face any
hurdle, they should never give up ans should always RISE! I want my
country to grow, not population wise (phew!), but as a
progressive nation. We lack 'nationalism' and should all be united
under one flag. We must care for one another and work with 'courtesy'.
Q11.
Ok, we're going to play a game now where i'll give you a word and you
have to tell me the first thing that comes to your head. Ready? Pakistan -Love Family -Care Music -Blue Friends -Bheegi Yaadein College -Ehsas Indo-Pak -Cricket Series Youth -Mischief Lahore -Heart of Pkaistan West -East is the Best Love -Me! (he's definitely a charmer)----
